Origin, patterns and anthropogenic accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in surface sediments of the Avilés estuary (Asturias, northern Spain)

•Pollution levels at an important industrial area were evaluated.•Assessment was performed by factor analysis, clustering and kriging.•Enrichment factors were derived from factor analysis and clustering results.•Information suggests probable source of pollution was the local metallurgy. Sediment quality has been assessed within the Avilés estuary, an important industrial area in the NW of Spain. The study started with a geochemical characterization of the superficial sediments that revealed some anomalous metal(oid)s concentrations in sensitive areas such as beaches or dunes. These data were studied by means of multivariate statistical techniques and enrichment factors calculation to evaluate the correlations and geochemical origin within the different elements. A novel approach using the combination of enrichment factors with a sequential application of factor analysis, clustering and kriging was essential to identify the possible sources of pollution. The collected information suggested that Cd (strongly correlated with Zn and Pb) was the potentially toxic element most widely distributed and problematic. Furthermore, particulate emissions from Zn metallurgy, as well as dust generated by the mineral loading and stockpile activities in the port were identified as the most important sources of pollution.